Fertilizer tube system

ABSTRACT

A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, an upper connector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube and a lower connector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/588,872 filed on May 8, 2017 which issues as U.S. Pat. No. 9,992,928on Jun. 12, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/095,570 filed on Apr. 11, 2016 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,642,301,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/699,868filed on Apr. 29, 2015 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,635,805, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/682,486 filed onApr. 9, 2015 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,642,300. Each of theaforementioned patent applications, and any applications relatedthereto, is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a fertilizer tube system forefficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow tominimize germination injury.

Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Liquid fertilizer applicators have been in use for years. Typically, theplacement of liquid fertilizer in close proximity to seeds during theplanting process is done to improve crop yields. Unfortunately, currentliquid fertilizer applicators utilized in the farming industry sometimesdirectly apply liquid fertilizer to the seed which results in burning ofthe seed thereby increasing germination injury.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to afertilizer tube system. The fertilizer tube system includes a fertilizertube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube andan output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, an upperconnector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, a centralconnector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube and alower connector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe fertilizer tube system in order that the detailed descriptionthereof may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the fertilizer tube system that will be describedhereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appendedhereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment ofthe fertilizer tube system in detail, it is to be understood that thefertilizer tube system is not limited in its application to the detailsof construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The fertilizertube system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below and the accompanying drawings, whereinlike elements are represented by like reference characters, which aregiven by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of theexample embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is a rear left side perspective view of a fertilizer tube systemin accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded rear right side perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment with respect to a planter frame to be installed upon.

FIG. 10 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodimentbeing slid upon the mounting member of the planter shank.

FIG. 11 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodimentbeing rotated into the installed position and the tab bent over theplanter shank to prevent removal of the invention from the plantershank.

FIG. 12 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodimentinstalled upon the planter shank and the fertilizer delivery tubeattached to the fertilizer tube.

FIG. 13 is a front right side perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment attached to the planter shank with the disks attached.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment attached to theplanter shank with the seed tube attached.

FIG. 15 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment attached to theplanter shank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

An example fertilizer tube system 10 generally comprises a fertilizertube 30 having an input opening 31 at an upper end of the fertilizertube 30 and an output opening 39 opening at a lower end of thefertilizer tube 30, an upper connector 50 attached to an upper portionof the fertilizer tube 30, a central connector attached to a centralportion of the fertilizer tube 30 and a lower connector 20 attached to alower portion of the fertilizer tube 30.

The present invention is designed to be utilized in combination with aliquid fertilizer system used on a crop planter implement but may beutilized to dispense additional types of fertilizer such as non-liquidfertilizer (e.g. particulate fertilizer). U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,805(Liquid Fertilizer Application System) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,007(Liquid Fertilizer Application System) both to Wiesenburger are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

The present invention may be utilized with any type of planter implementdesigned for planting a row crop such as, but not limited to, the JohnDeere ExactEmerge™ Row Unit manufactured by Deere & Company in Moline,Ill. The present invention may be utilized with respect to various othertypes of planter implements.

B. Fertilizer Tube

The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of an elongated structure. Thefertilizer tube 30 is not a straight structure as best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The fertilizer tube 30 has an inputopening 31 at an upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 and an outputopening 39 opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 asillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The input opening 31is capable of being fluidly connected to a conventional liquidfertilizer system to receive a liquid fertilizer from the liquidfertilizer. The output opening 39 opening dispenses the liquidfertilizer into a seed furrow or near a seed furrow created by the disks18 of the planter implement. The lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30is positioned between a pair of disks 18 of the planter implement whenthe fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 asillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the fertilizer tube 30 ispreferably comprised of a continuous single structure. The fertilizertube 30 may also be comprised of a plurality of sections connectedtogether permanently or non-permanently. The fertilizer tube 30 ispreferably comprised of a rigid material such as, but not limited to,metal. The fertilizer tube 30 preferably has a circular cross sectionalarea but may have different cross sectional shapes (e.g. rectangular,oval). The lumen of the fertilizer tube 30 may be consistently in widthor differing in width along the length of the fertilizer tube 30. Thefertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a continuous singletubular structure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings.In particular, the fertilizer tube 30 is preferably constructed of asingle piece of metal tubing that is bent to form the fertilizer tube30.

A coupler 40 fluidly connects the upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 toa fertilizer delivery tube 11 from the liquid fertilizer system of theplanter implement. The coupler 40 is preferably comprised of a quickcoupler 40 to allow for simple and easy connection of the fertilizerdelivery tube 11 to the fertilizer tube 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, the fertilizer tube 30 iscomprised of a first segment 32 on the lower portion of the fertilizertube 30, a second segment 33 extending from the first segment 32, athird segment 34 extending from the second segment 33, and a fourthsegment 35 extending from the third segment 34. Each segment is definedby a bend or corner in the fertilizer tube 30 redirecting the fertilizertube 30. Each segment is preferably comprised of a substantiallystraight structure having an independent longitudinal axis that doesn'talign with any of the other segments' longitudinal axis.

When in use, the fertilizer tube 30 will be positioned in front of theguard scraper with the front edge angled downwardly and rearwardly asbest illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A portion of the first segment 32 ofthe fertilizer tube 30 will wear from engaging the earth over time.

The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of a first segment 32 adapted to bepositioned adjacent to a front edge of the planter shank 14 and a secondsegment 33 extending forwardly from the first segment 32. The firstsegment 32 has a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane (e.g. aground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the plantershank 14 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Thesecond segment 33 extends forwardly from the end of the first segment 32at a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a groundsurface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While both thefirst segment 32 and the second segment 33 extend upwardly andforwardly, the second angle for the second segment 33 is greater thanthe first angle for the first segment 32 as further illustrated in FIGS.3 and 4. The first segment 32 and the second segment 33 are preferablyaligned along a common vertical plane as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through8 of the drawings. The output opening 39 opening is within a lowerdistal end of the first segment 32.

The angle A1 between the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 asmeasured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 169 degrees butmay vary greater or less. The angle A2 between the first segment 32 andthe second segment 33 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 isapproximately 180 degrees but may vary greater or less. It is preferablethat the second segment 33 is parallel to a vertical plane comprised ofa plane that is parallel to the forward path of movement of the planterimplement and the corresponding planter shank 14 that is verticallyaligned. It is further preferable that both the first segment 32 and thesecond segment 33 are both parallel with respect to the vertical planeas illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. The second segment 33is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending from a firstcorner between the second segment 33 and the first segment 32 asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The second segment 33 hasa longitudinal axis that is more vertically orientated than the firstsegment 32 when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The fertilizer tube 30 is further comprised of a third segment 34 and afourth segment 35, wherein the third segment 34 extends upwardly andrearwardly from the second segment 33 and the fourth segment 35 extendsupwardly and rearwardly from the third segment 34. The third segment 34and the fourth segment 35 are each comprised of a substantially straightstructure. The third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 bothpreferably extend rearwardly at an approximately same angle with respectto the horizontal plane, though different angles may be used. As bestshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35are preferably not aligned along the common vertical plane in oneembodiment of the invention. The third segment 34 extends to the rightof the common vertical plane and the fourth segment 35 extends at anglebetween the common vertical plane and the third segment 34 as best shownin FIG. 7.

The third segment 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the end of thesecond segment 33 opposite of the first segment 32 at a third angle withrespect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when thefertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as further shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While the first segment 32, the secondsegment 33 and the third segment 34 all extend upwardly, the third anglefor the third segment 34 is in an substantially opposite direction ofthe first angle for the first segment 32 and the second angle for thesecond segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Theangle B1 between the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 asmeasured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 126 degrees butmay vary greater or less. The angle B2 between the second segment 33 andthe third segment 34 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 isapproximately 157 degrees but may vary greater or less. The thirdsegment 34 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending froma second corner between the third segment 34 and the second segment 33as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The third segment 34has a longitudinal axis that is more vertically orientated than thefirst segment 32 and the second segment 33 when the fertilizer tube 30is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 ofthe drawings.

The fourth segment 35 extends upwardly from the end of the third segment34 opposite of the second segment 33 at a fourth angle with respect tothe horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a ground surface) whenthe fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as furthershown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While the first segment 32,second segment 33, the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 allextend upwardly, the fourth angle for the fourth segment 35 ispreferably greater than the first angle for the first segment 32 and thesecond angle for the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4of the drawings. The angle C1 between the third segment 34 and thefourth segment 35 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 isapproximately 180 degrees but may vary greater or less. The angle C2between the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 as measured fromthe rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 163 degrees but may vary greater orless.

The first segment 32 is preferably approximately 5.25 inches in length,the second segment 33 is preferably approximately 9 inches in length,the third segment 34 is preferably approximately 5.5 inches in lengthand the fourth segment 35 is preferably approximately 2.5 inches inlength. The respective lengths of all of the segments 32, 33, 34, 35 mayvary depending upon the application, how close the lower end of thefertilizer tube 30 is to be positioned to the ground surface and variousother factors.

C. Upper Connector

The upper connector 50 is attached to an upper portion of the fertilizertube 30 such as, but not limited to, the third segment 34 as illustratedin FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The upper connector 50 is adaptedfor connecting to an upper fastener 19 of a planter frame 12 (e.g. athreaded member 19 extending rearwardly from the planter frame 12 asshown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The upper connector 50 is comprised ofan inner portion 52 attached (e.g. welded) to the fertilizer tube 30, anouter portion 54 extending from the inner portion 52 at an angle and anaperture 56 within the outer portion 54. The aperture 56 is sized toslidably receive the upper fastener 19. The upper connector 50 issecured to the planter frame 12 using a threaded nut 17 threadablyconnected to the upper fastener 19 as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings.

Lower Connector

The lower connector 20 is attached to a lower portion of the fertilizertube 30 such as, but not limited to, the first segment 32. The lowerconnector 20 is adapted for connecting to a lower portion of a plantershank 14. The lower connector 20 is preferably comprised of a bendablematerial. The lower connector 20 is preferably constructed of a firstportion 22 and a second portion 24 that extend rearwardly from thefertilizer tube 30. The lower connector 20 is further preferablycomprised of a substantially V-shaped structure or U-shaped structureadapted to be positioned about a front edge of the planter shank 14.When the front edge of the planter shank 14 is positioned within theinner portion of the lower connector 20, the first portion 22 and thesecond portion 24 are bent towards one another to snugly andfrictionally engage the planter shank 14 to prevent movement of thelower portion of the fertilizer tube 30. The lower connector 20 ispreferably comprised of a bendable material such as a bendable metalmaterial to allow an installer the ability to bend the first portion 22and second portion 24 adjacent to the sides of the planter shank 14 asillustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings.

E. Intermediate Connector

The intermediate connector 60 attached the fertilizer tube 30 betweenthe upper connector 50 and the lower connector 20 such as, but notlimited to the second segment 33. The intermediate connector 60 isadapted for connecting to an axle 15 of the planter shank 14 that isused for supporting the disks 18 of the planter. The intermediateconnector 60 preferably extends rearwardly in a substantially horizontalmanner as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, though various other angles may beused. The intermediate connector 60 is illustrated as having a flatstructure that has a plane that is substantially vertically orientated,however, various other structures may be used for the intermediateconnector 60.

The intermediate connector 60 is comprised of an inner portion 62extending rearwardly, a middle portion 64 extending rearwardly from theinner portion 62 of the intermediate connector 60 at an angle, an outerportion 66 extending rearwardly from the middle portion 64 of theintermediate connector 60 substantially parallel with respect to theinner portion 62 of the intermediate connector 60, and an aperture 68within the outer portion 66. The aperture 68 slidably receives the rightportion of the axle 15 of the planter shank 14 used to support the rightdisk 18. However, the aperture 68 may be formed to be positioned uponthe left portion of the axle 15 on the opposite side of the plantershank 14. One or more washers 16 are positioned over the intermediateconnector 60 after being positioned upon the axle 15 and then the rightdisk 18 is attached with a threaded fastener (e.g. threaded nut 17) tothe axle 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 14 and 15.

F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, a fertilizer tube 30 is attached to each planter shank 14 of aplanter implement. To assemble the fertilizer tube 30 to the planterimplement, the user positions the intermediate connector 60 upon theaxle 15 as shown in FIG. 10. The user then rotates the fertilizer tube30 so that the lower connector 20 receives the front edge of the plantershank 14 and the aperture 56 of the upper connector 50 passes over theupper fastener 19 of the planter frame 12 as shown in FIG. 11 of thedrawings. The user then squeezes or otherwise compresses the lowerconnector 20 so that the first portion 22 and the second portion 24frictionally engage the planter shank 14 to prevent movement of thelower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 as illustrated in FIG. 11 of thedrawings. A threaded nut 17 or other type of fastener is used to securethe upper connector 50 to the upper fastener 19 as shown in FIG. 11. Thedisks 18 are then attached to the opposing portions of the axle 15extending from the planter shank 14 as shown in FIGS. 13 through 15 ofthe drawings.

When fully assembled and attached to the planter frame 12, the upperportion of the fertilizer tube 30 extends around a rearward extendingupper portion of the planter frame 12 as best illustrated in FIGS. 12and 13. The user then uses the coupler 40 (e.g. a compression fitting)to connect the fertilizer tube 30 to a fertilizer delivery tube 11 asshown in FIGS. 12 through 15 of the drawings. Each fertilizer deliverytube 11 comes from a fertilizer reservoir or manifold and supplies thefertilizer to each fertilizer tube 30.

As the planter implement is pulled through the soil, the disks 18 createa V-shaped furrow in the soil which is well-known in the art ofplanters. The output opening 39 opening of the fertilizer tube 30 emitsthe liquid fertilizer onto the lower surface of the furrow in front ofthe seed tube in preparation for the disbursement of the seed from theseed tube. The seed is then dispensed from the seed tube and placedabove the fertilizer within the furrow. The furrow is finally coveredwith soil to allow the seed to grow.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the fertilizer tube system, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The fertilizer tube system may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributesthereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Anyheadings utilized within the description are for convenience only andhave no legal or limiting effect.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fertilizer tube for attachment to a planterimplement, comprising: the fertilizer tube having an input opening at anupper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end ofthe fertilizer tube, wherein the input opening is adapted for receivingfertilizer from the fertilizer system and wherein the output opening isadapted for dispensing the fertilizer into a seed furrow; an upperconnector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, whereinthe upper connector is adapted for connecting to an upper fastener of aplanter frame; a lower connector attached to a lower portion of thefertilizer tube, wherein the lower connector is adapted for connectingto a lower portion of a planter shank; and an intermediate connectorattached to the fertilizer tube between the upper connector and thelower connector, wherein the intermediate connector is adapted forconnecting to an axle of the planter shank.
 2. The fertilizer tube ofclaim 1, wherein the lower connector is comprised of a bendablematerial.
 3. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, wherein the fertilizer tubeis comprised of a continuous single structure.
 4. The fertilizer tube ofclaim 1, wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of a rigid material.5. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, wherein the fertilizer tube iscomprised of a metal.
 6. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, wherein thefertilizer tube is comprised of a first segment adapted to be positionedadjacent to a front edge of the planter shank and a second segmentextending forwardly from the first segment, wherein the first segmenthas a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane and wherein thesecond segment has a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane,and wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.
 7. Thefertilizer tube of claim 6, wherein the output opening is within a lowerdistal end of the first segment, and wherein the first segment iscomprised of a substantially straight structure.
 8. The fertilizer tubeof claim 6, wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of a third segmentand a fourth segment, wherein the third segment extends upwardly andrearwardly from the second segment, wherein the first segment and thesecond segment are aligned along a common vertical plane, and whereinthe fourth segment extends upwardly from the third segment.
 9. Thefertilizer tube of claim 8, wherein the third segment and the fourthsegment are each comprised of a substantially straight structure. 10.The fertilizer tube of claim 8, wherein the fourth segment extendsrearwardly.
 11. The fertilizer tube of claim 10, wherein the thirdsegment and the fourth segment both extend rearwardly at anapproximately same angle with respect to the horizontal plane.
 12. Thefertilizer tube of claim 8, wherein the third segment is not alignedalong the common vertical plane.
 13. The fertilizer tube of claim 12,wherein the third segment extends to the right of the common verticalplane.
 14. The fertilizer tube of claim 13, wherein the fourth segmentextends at angle between the common vertical plane and the thirdsegment.
 15. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, wherein the upper connectoris comprised of an inner portion, an outer portion and an aperturewithin the outer portion.
 16. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate connector is comprised of an inner portion extendingrearwardly, a middle portion extending rearwardly from the inner portionof the intermediate connector at an angle, an outer portion extendingrearwardly from the middle portion of the intermediate connectorsubstantially parallel with respect to the inner portion of theintermediate connector, and an aperture within the outer portion.
 17. Amethod of attaching the fertilizer tube of claim 1, said methodcomprising the steps of: attaching the intermediate connector to theaxle of the planter shank; attaching the upper connector to the upperfastener of the planter frame; and attaching the lower connector to thelower portion of the planter shank.
 18. A fertilizer tube for attachmentto a planter implement, comprising: the fertilizer tube having an inputopening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening ata lower end of the fertilizer tube, wherein the input opening is adaptedfor receiving fertilizer from the fertilizer system and wherein theoutput opening is adapted for dispensing the fertilizer into a seedfurrow; wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of a first segmentadapted to be positioned adjacent to a front edge of the planter shankand a second segment extending forwardly from the first segment, whereinthe first segment has a first angle with respect to a horizontal planeand wherein the second segment has a second angle with respect to thehorizontal plane, and wherein the second angle is greater than the firstangle; wherein the output opening is within a lower distal end of thefirst segment; wherein the first segment is comprised of a substantiallystraight structure; wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of acontinuous single structure; an upper connector attached to an upperportion of the fertilizer tube, wherein the upper connector is adaptedfor connecting to an upper fastener of a planter frame; a lowerconnector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube, whereinthe lower connector is adapted for connecting to a lower portion of aplanter shank; and an intermediate connector attached to the fertilizertube between the upper connector and the lower connector, wherein theintermediate connector is adapted for connecting to an axle of theplanter shank.
 19. A method of attaching the fertilizer tube of claim18, said method comprising the steps of: attaching the intermediateconnector to the axle of the planter shank; attaching the upperconnector to the upper fastener of the planter frame; and attaching thelower connector to the lower portion of the planter shank.
 20. Afertilizer tube for attachment to a planter implement, comprising: thefertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of thefertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizertube, wherein the input opening is adapted for receiving fertilizer fromthe fertilizer system and wherein the output opening is adapted fordispensing the fertilizer into a seed furrow; wherein the fertilizertube is comprised of a first segment adapted to be positioned adjacentto a front edge of the planter shank and a second segment extendingforwardly from the first segment, wherein the first segment has a firstangle with respect to a horizontal plane and wherein the second segmenthas a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and wherein thesecond angle is greater than the first angle; wherein the fertilizertube is comprised of a third segment and a fourth segment, wherein thethird segment extends upwardly and rearwardly from the second segment,wherein the first segment and the second segment are aligned along acommon vertical plane, and wherein the fourth segment extends upwardlyfrom the third segment; wherein the output opening is within a lowerdistal end of the first segment; wherein the first segment is comprisedof a substantially straight structure; wherein the fertilizer tube iscomprised of a continuous single structure; wherein the fertilizer tubeis comprised of a rigid material; wherein the third segment and thefourth segment are each comprised of a substantially straight structure;wherein the fourth segment extends rearwardly; wherein the third segmentand the fourth segment both extend rearwardly at an approximately sameangle with respect to the horizontal plane; wherein the third segment isnot aligned along the common vertical plane; wherein the third segmentextends to the right of the common vertical plane; wherein the fourthsegment extends at angle between the common vertical plane and the thirdsegment; an upper connector attached to an upper portion of thefertilizer tube, wherein the upper connector is adapted for connectingto an upper fastener of a planter frame; a lower connector attached to alower portion of the fertilizer tube, wherein the lower connector isadapted for connecting to a lower portion of a planter shank; whereinthe lower connector is comprised of a bendable material; and anintermediate connector attached to the fertilizer tube between the upperconnector and the lower connector, wherein the intermediate connector isadapted for connecting to an axle of the planter shank.